Cooking with Coca Cola

[lesley]

I'd heard about cooking a joint of ham in Coca Cola years ago, but never got round to doing it...until my son came over & insisted I give it a go..Ok I gave him the benefit of the doubt. It turned out tasting of BBQ, with a sticky sweet glaze...Fantastic! I wouldn't cook it any other way now..has anyone else tried this?


Honey, Brown Sugar and Mustard Glazed Ham


Serves 4
Prep Time 5 mins
Cooking Time 1 hr 20 mins
Ingredients

* Ham joint 625g/1lb 6oz (off the bone)
* 2 ½ litres Coca Cola (see Cook’s tips)
* 1 Dsp Honey
* ¼ Tsp Mustard powder
* ½ Tsp Dark brown soft sugar

Method

* Place the ham in a large heavy saucepan (See Cook’s tips)
* Pour over the Coca Cola until ham is completely covered
* Bring to the boil
* Skim off scum as it comes to the boil
* Cover, but leave a slight gap for steam to escape and simmer for 1 hour 5 minutes
* Either leave the ham to cool in the Cola or take out and cool on a plate
* When ham has cooled carefully cut off the skin to expose the fat
* Use a sharp knife and score diagonally to make a diamond pattern
* Put ham into a foil container, ( See Cook’s tips) or foil lined baking tin
* Brush the honey over the scored fat
* Mix the sugar and mustard together and pat over the honey
* Cook in a preheated oven 240°C/475°F/Gas mark 9 for 10 minutes
* Take out and baste, then cook for another 5 minutes until glaze is bubbling
* Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly, then carve.

Cook's tips

* Use the normal Coca Cola, not the diet or Zero
* You can use a saucepan to accommodate the size of ham your cooking, and use more or less Coca Cola, just make sure the ham is covered by the liquid
* I use the freezer foil containers
* The amount of glaze ingredients in this recipe are to cover a small joint, just double or triple for a larger one, the flavour will remain the same

Equipment

* Large heavy saucepan with lid
* Foil container, or foil lined tin

Shopping List

* Ham joint 625g/1lb 6oz (off the bone)
* 2 ½ litres Coca Cola
* 1 Dsp Honey
* ¼ Tsp Mustard powder
* ½ Tsp Dark brown soft sugar

[jglass]

I have made my ham with this method for 2-3 years now ever since I saw Nigella Lawson do them this way on her show. I cook the ham in coke and onion on top of the stove in the biggest pot I have. Then I finish them off in the oven with my favorite glaze recipe. Everyone who has tried it loves it.